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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Top 5 Voice Actors in Gaming

Written by PaperJello
Every game has its iconic features that set it apart and make it instantly recognizable to fans and non-fans alike. It can be a logo, a theme song, or even a character’s hat. One thing that really brings games alive, and just so happens to be the subject of this article, is a character’s voice. Whether it be with a deep, heroic drawl or an upbeat, innocent lilt, a character’s voice can draw players in and really make them feel. That epic one-liner might send a chill down your spine, or that heartfelt speech might bring a tear to your eye. Maybe a character’s voice will bring you back to the good old days; nothing can fill you with nostalgia quite so well as Mario’s declaration of “its-a me!”

So in honour of these great actors that make our games that much better, here’s a list (in no particular order) of Gaming’s Top 5 Voice Actors.

Michael Ironside

Michael Ironside is best known for portraying Third Echelon agent and star of the Splinter Cell series, Sam Fisher. His gruff and tough voice perfectly communicates that this guy is a real veteran; he’s been there, done that, and will take no prisoners. Unfortunately, despite voicing Fisher in every Splinter Cell for the past 10 years (so, all of them), Ironside is being replaced by lesser known actor Eric Johnson in the upcoming Blacklist.

Steve Downes

Steve Downes is the voice of none other than Halo’s Master Chief. Our favorite Spartan is mostly the silent hero type, but when he does speak it always sounds badass. The calm, gravelly tone is perfect for the Chief’s dry sense of humour and makes the player feel ready for anything. It seems Downes hasn’t quite finished the fight yet, as he will reprise his role in Halo 4 and (presumably) future sequels.

Keith David

Keith David, the man with two first names, has voiced a plethora of characters, from Mass Effect’s Admiral Anderson to Halo’s Arbiter. David has an unbelievably deep and rumbling voice, and can roar like it’s nobody’s business. He sounds like a warrior, his anger can leave you shaking, and his conviction can inspire you. Plus, he voiced Goliath in Gargoyles (anybody remember that show?) so that’s pretty cool.

Laura Bailey

Laura Bailey has been in an unbelievable amount of games and anime. Though her name may not be as well known as some of the others on this list, she is a top notch voice actress who has provided the voice for Catherine’s namesake (the one with a ‘C’, not a ‘K’), Persona 4’s Rise Kujikawa, and even Street Fighter’s Chun Li. Any big RPG fan is sure to have heard her voicing one of the main, side, or enemy characters. Unlike the rest of the list, which is mostly comprised of men that sound like they have permanent throat infections, Bailey often plays higher-pitched, innocent sounding characters in games.

Jennifer Hale

Jennifer Hale is another superb voice actress that is famous for voicing ‘FemShep’ in the Mass Effect series. Her powerful, commanding voice is that of an independent woman who won’t let anyone get in her way. She makes it clear that she plays with the big boys, and is no damsel in distress. She has also voiced Samus Aran in the Metroid Prime trilogy, as well as Naomi Hunter in Metal Gear Solid. Basically, don’t mess with her.